Runaway Groom (I Do, I Don't 2)

He smiles back. “But you’ll do it?”

Shit.

“Yes,” I say, before I can rethink it. “But not in exchange for your secrets.”

Gage’s green eyes shadow. “Chang

e your mind about seeing my dirty laundry, huh?”

“Nah,” I say, taking a last sip of wine before handing him the glass and climbing to my feet. “But I don’t want you to tell me because you owe me. I want you to tell me because you want to. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back before someone realizes I’m gone.”

“Ellie,” he says, just as my hand finds the doorknob.

I turn back.

“Why’d you say yes?”

I start to tell him that it’s for the sake of my business—that in exchange for staying longer, I’ll generate more interest in High Tee.

It’s the reason I want to tell myself.

But as our gazes lock and hold, I realize I’m not sure that it’s even remotely true. Because when I look at Gage, I realize I’m not thinking about my business.

I’m thinking about the man. About the way he makes me feel.

So why did I say yes?

“Honestly?” I say quietly. “I don’t know.”

He gives a slow nod of acknowledgment but says nothing as I open the door and slip into the dark, quiet hallway.

Invitation Ceremony #4

Dear Jane—

You are cordially invited to celebrate the wedding of Gage Barrett and his future bride on Saturday, May 21, at two o’clock in the afternoon. Dinner and dancing to follow.

*

The Runaway Groom on why he jilted Jane: “Jane’s intense and driven, and I absolutely respect that, but she’s got her own thing going on, and I don’t think our lifestyles were compatible.”

*

Dear Ellie—

You are cordially invited to stay on at the villa as Gage Barrett continues his quest for his future bride.

*

Text message from Ellie to Gage: Did Jane confess during your farewell chat?

Gage to Ellie: That she planned to replace Brooklyn’s shampoo with hair-removal stuff? No, she masked her insanity quite well. What else you got for me?

Ellie to Gage: Nothing major. Maybe the next elimination should be YOUR call. Listen to your corrupt little Hollywood soul and send home someone who doesn’t make your heart flutter.

Gage to Ellie: How do you know that won’t be you?

Ellie to Gage: Feel free, Barrett. Feel free.